Igniting mechanism for internal-combustion engines.



y H. R. VAN DEVENTER. \GNITING MECHANISM FOR IN1ERNAL comausnou ENGINES.

AP PLICATION FILED 06111. 1914.

Patented Aug. 14,1917. I

almwm To all whom it may concern;

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFF-10E."

HARRY RANDOLPH VAN DEVENTER, OF"S UMTER. SOUTH CAROLINA, ASSIGNOB BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO SPLI'IDORF ELECTRICAL COMPANY. OF NEWARK. NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

IGNITING MECHANISM FOR. INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Specification of Letters- Patent.

Patented Aug. 14, 1917;

Application filed October 1, 1914. Serial No. 864,447.

Be it known that L l'launr RANDOLPH VAN DEVENIER, a citizen of the linited States, residing at Sumter. in the county of Sumter and State of South Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Igniting-Mechanism' for Internal- Combustion Engines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates'to ignitcrs of the .1nake-andbreak type, and has for its purposetheProvision of an ignite]; bracket upon which magneto may. be. mounted, the magneto' armature or rot-or being oscillated b y means of suitable mechanism carried" upon the igniter bracket. '1

' it further object is to provide a bracket adapted to bein ountcd on an engine, and carry-ring the engine ignitcr and the magneto,

and all of the operating means therefor, the

operating.means being so disposed in regard to the engine push rod or other actuating device. that the magneto may be removed without interfering in any way with the operation of the igniter proper, thus permitting battery to be connected to the niter in the event of anytrouble with the c-ylinder by suitable meansfand carrying on this flange suitable spring means tor oscillating boththe magneto and the igniter. Figure 1-.is aiside. view, partly sectional, of

my il'ivention'. Fig. 2 is a view of same look- Fig. l, a view lookinggdown on the i'ngtoward the end of the-magneto on the line a, I Fig. 1,andsh ow1ng d1agramni'atlcally the arrai gement ot the rarlous 'parts. 'Fig. 3 is a diagram looking toward the igmter on the hue 0, d, Fig. '1' and show= ing the shape of the igniter flange casting.

mechanism with the magneto removed. Like figur'es of reference denote the same parts wherever they are shown. I

1, denotes thewall of the engine cylinder. Fitted into this in the usualv manner such as the-bolts 3t, 35 is tl'1e'igniterbody 2 carbrea'k isniter mechanism. A. flange 5 projects .around the aperture in .the cylinder, and projecting from this flange and preferably integral therewith are the arms 6 and i',- and the boss S. the latter forming a. bearmg for the shaft 9 which is secured in the bearing in any suitable manner, such as the screw '10. ()n the outer end of shaft 1.) is fastened the trip lever 11, which is provided with a projecting igniter' trip linger 12, and two upwardly projecting magneto fingers 13 and H. There is also an engine mp1s, adapted to be engaged by the push rod 16. the outer end of said rod being suitably con nected to some moving part of the engine so that the rod has a reciprocating motion over the small pulley l'i, which causes the mner end'of the rod 18 to push inwardly against 15 until 15 rides under it. Such a trip motion is now commonly used in connection with make-and-break igniters.

Attached to the trip lever 11 are suitable springs 19 and 20 which cause thetrip lever to occupy normally the position shown in the drawings. These springs are supported on suitable studs 21 and 22 on the ends of i the arms 6 and T.

The movable Contact 3 of the igniter extends outwardly through the flange 5, and carries at its outer end an arm 23 having suitable adjusting means such as screw 24, whereby the relative positions of 23 and the gniter trip finger 12-may be adj usted. This 1s occasioned by the necessity, ivhensome ma gnetos arensed, of having the igniter contacts closedywhile again, when battery is used. it is preferable to have igniter contacts normally open.

A spring or any other suitable means 25 may be employed to hold the contactsof the.

igniter together, or arm 23 in contact with ignite!" trip/finger 1"2,'which would leave the contacts normally open.

Projecting from the flange 5 and preferably integral therewith,- is abracket arm 20 fanning at its upper end the support 27,

upon which may be mounted any suitable magneto 28/ The shaft 2& of the magneto sitioned let-ween magneto tin 'ers 13' and I f i the trip lever. A suitable connection 31 is made between the circuit terminal 32' carries a dog 30 the lower end of Which1fiS B ,the. ush rod 16.

.ignitergthis fixed; contact being suitably insulate from the frame or body 2. .7

. Presuming the magneto to be of the alternating' current type the armature or rotor of same is so set in relation with the .do 30 that when the dogis moved to. the left, ig.-

3, and suddenly released, that the peak of thecurrent wave produced byithe movement of the armature will occur at the same time the i 'ter points in the cylinder separate.

-;This 1s accomplished. by the push rod 16 en I I gaging the trip thereby pushing the'tri ever to one side which causes 15 to slip o the end 18 of 16. When thisocc'urs springs 19- and 20 cause a "quick return of trip lever to its normal or centraL position, and

thefingers' 1'3 and'lc'ause a corresponding rapid movement of the dog '30thereby actuating the magneto: At the same time the igniter trip finger 12- strikes arm 23 cansing the separation of the igniter contacts in the cylinder thereby producin a spark.

'If for any reason it is desir to remove the magneto, it may be unbolted from the support 27 and the connection 31 removed .fromthe binding post 33. An other suitable current source may now connected to 33 and the engine operated without the magneto, as the parts that operate the ignit'er have not been disturbed.

I amaware that it is 'old to use an oscillating magneto mounted on a bracket integral with the igniter flange 5, but in allsuch arrangements the springs'19 and 20 and the lever 11 are mounted on the magneto an form part of same. This being the case 'it is obvious that the removal of the magneto from the bracket removes the means by which the igniter arm 23- or its equivalent is operated, and therefore the engine cannot be used until the magneto is replaced. This is very inconvenient in cases of magneto trouble, and makes it necessary on engines a 3 having this type of combined igniter and magneto, to provide a separate igniter mechain'sm, 'so that when it is necessary to use some other source of ignition than the magneto, this special igniter mechanism may be put on the engine. In such ignitersthe arm 23 or its equivalent is operated directly by y invention therefore consists broadly of mounting the trip lever and springs on I ment shown is me rely illustrative, as these the igniter casting which renders a special igniter unnecessary in case the magneto is removed; and while 'L have shown a sin le casting comprising the igniter body, t e

arms for'supporting the springs and trip lever, and a support for the magneto, I desire to have it understood that the arrange-- parts may consist of different pieces suitably pended. claims, 'j

astened togetheh f Qther changes may 'be made-as are within 'the scbpeio f the nap- Hhving thus described my invention, I claim: 4

1. In an ignition device, an igniter bodyhaving a flanged portion adapted to be, se

'cured to an engine cylinder, a projection on said body, a trip lever, a support for said tri and niter body in position to enter the, combustion chamber of the engine cylinder when in ,place, actuating means for said movable electrode extending through the igniter body apart ofsaid-trip lever adapted to be engaged andmoved-by a moving part of the.

'engine,and springmeans for returning the :trip leverand operating. the said movable electrodeafter initial actuation by the enlever mounted on said projection, a fixed a movable electrode carried on the iginto. operative relation with the trip lever,

glue part, all in combination with a magneto detachab e "connectingpmeans between the rotor of said magneto and said trip lever.

2. The combination of an igniter having relatively fixed and movable electrodes, fan' arm on the movable electrode, .anerator removabl I supported by's'aid projection and having a rotor, an arm connected t erewith,

a trip lever between said arms, spring means carried on the flange of said igniter tending \to normally hold, t e rotor'in-a given posi-.

tion, spring means of less tension than the first mentioned meansand operating on the first mentioned arm to hold the same in engagement with the trip lever, and means for actuating the trip lever. i

3, The combination of anigniter having relatively fixed and movable.eleotrode s,-an

arm on the movable electrode, a spring connected with the arm, a generator having a rotor, an arm on the rotor, a' .trip lever operable independently of said. generator, a push rod for operating said--trip--=l ever, and

springs holding said trip lever, in'a prede-.

termined position, whereby said] generator with its operating arm may 'be:removed from the action of said trip lever without afi'ecting the action of same in relation to said movable electrode, substantially as described. 4 4. An ignition device comprisinga casting supporting -'a suitable generator, a make-v and-break igniter and spring controlled means for operating: said generator and igniter, and .a loose coupling 'betweensaid spring controlled means and saidgenefator whereby the generator may be-reinioved.or;

without aflecting'; the operation substantially as described.

portion carrying igniter mechanism, (a {flange-on said wherebysame may be on -a'n'---engme, .meansprojecting' j b v .by eii fla amber Pbstsewrried i y the-flan 1 mi iifi i flange i r v m ng' mechanism, a: trip lever supported .120 replaced in relation to said operating meansof then-latter,

5. An ignition device comprising a body body, together with means for removably] portion carrying igniter mechanism,

and positioned at opposite sides of the trip lever; tension means between said posts and trip lever, and means between said trip lever and igniter mechanism whereby said mech- 'an1sm 'may beoperated by and tension means.)

,6. An ignition-device comprising a body a flange on said body whereby same may be supported on an engine, means projecting from said flange for operating said igniter mechanism, a trip lever, anchor posts carried by the flange and positioned at opposite sides of the trip lever, tension means between said post and trip lever, a genen at'or', and means between saidgenerator,

ignite! operating means, and trip lever whereby said generator and igniter mechanism may be operated by the action of said tension means.

7. An ignition device for internal combustion engines comprising an ignitcr body carrying a mechanically operated igniter contact adapted. to be mounted on an engine with the igniter contact projecting into the combustion chamber thereof, a trip lever mounted on .the igniter body in operative relation to the said mechanicallyoperated igniter, and a retractile spring. connection between said trip lever and said igniter supporting a magneto in operative relation to the trip lever comprising a bracket carfried'bythe igniter body, and means for transmitting motion from the trip lever to the magneto. V I

L 8.'An ignition device for internal combustion engines comprising an igniterbody carrying a mechanically operated igniter contact and adapted to be mounted on an engine cylinder with the igniter contact ;-within the combustion chamber thereoi f, "a magneto, a trip lever,..tension means connecting said trip lever with the igniter body -,;tra.nsmitting -jeach of said igniter contact and said independent of the magneto, and means for motion from the trip lever'to.

magneto.

9. An ignition device for internal combustion engines comprising an 'igniter body' carrying a movable, igmte'rlcontact and adapted to be mountedon an engine cylin der with the igniter contact projecting into the combustion chamber thereof, a trip'lever and retractile means therefor mountedpn the igniter body n' operative connection .with said movable ignite! contact, a. bracket carried by the igniter body for removably supporting a magneto, and loose coupling means foroperati'vely connecting said trip lleverwith a magneto, when supported on tastie e gine :*;"10. An ignitien ass, as internal 15 m mprising anrigniter body ablgfigmter contact andber thereo operating shaftv therefor, separate and independent bearings for the movable elecadapted to be mounted on an engine with the igniter contact rejecting. into the combustion chamber oi the engine, a bracket carried by the igniter body, a magneto removably mounted on said bracket, a trip lever and retractile means therefor mounted on the igniter body and operable independently of said magneto, means for transmitting motion from said trip lever to the movable'igni'ter contact, and a loose coupling between said magneto and the trip lever carriedpartly by the magneto and partly by the trip lever.

11. An ignition device for internal combustion engines comprising an igniter body adapted to be mounted on an engine, a bearing in said igniter body carrying a movable igniter contact so positioned as to project into the ignition chamber of an engine when the said body'is mounted thereon, another bearing on said igniter body carrying a trip lever, a magneto mounted on the igniter body, an operating shaft for said magneto mounted in bearings distinct from said first mentioned bearings, and means for transmitting motion from said trip lever to each of said igniter contact and said operatin shaft.

12. An ignition device for internal combustion engines .comprisingan igniter body carrying a-movable electrode and adapted to i be mounted on ail-engine with the igniter contact progecting into the combustion chaln ,a trip lever, a magneto and an trode, the tri lever and the magneto shaft, and means or transmitting imitioufrom said trip leve both ways to the movable electrode and the magneto shaft.

13. A device of the class described, com- ,prising a bracket adapted to be secured to an internal combustion engine, an oscillatory member mounted on the bracket, means driven by the engine for operating said member, an igniter carried by, the bracket anddisposed within the combustion chamber of theeng ne, a magneto consistin of a rotorand a field magnet; the-rotor, eing operatively connected with said member,

and devices for removably supporting the magneto to the'bracket, saidignite'r mg controlled by the oscillatory member whereby the igniter may be operated without the magneto. a

14'. A device of the class described, comprising a bracket adapted to be secured to an internal combustion engine, an oscillatory member mounted on, the bracket, means driven by the engine for operating said member, an igniter carried by the bracket and disposed within the combustion chamber of the engine, a magneto consisting of a rotor and a field magnet, the rotor being etav eb y fie wfii dw th s id memb and an magneto.

member, 'an'igniterfcarriedby the bracket and disposed within the combustion chamdriven by the engine fbr operating .said" 19.- A device of the class described, comprising a bracket adapted. to be secured to an internal combustion engine, an oscillatory member mounted on the bracket, means driven by the engine for operating said member, a make and break igniter carried by-the bracket and disposed within the combustion chamber of the engine, a magneto consisting of a rotor and a. field magnet, the

' .ber of theenginc, a magneto consisting of arotor and field magnet, the rotor being operdevices for removably supporting the field ma et of-the magneto from the bracket, sai igniter being controlled by the oscillatory member whereby-the igniter may be operated without the magneto.

16. A deviceof the class described, comprising a. bracket adapted to be secured to an internal combustion'engine, an oscillatory member mounted on the bracket, means driven by the engine for operating said member, a make and break igniter carried by the bracket-and disposed withinthe combustion chamber of the engine, a magneto consisting of a rotor and a field magnet, the rotor-being operatively connected with said member, and devices for .removably supporting the magneto from the bracket, said igniter bein controlled by the oscillatory member whereby the igniter may be 85 operated without the magneto. V 17. A device of the class described, comprising a bracket adapted to be secured to an internal combustion engine, an oscillatory member mounted on the bracket, means driven by the-'engin'e for operating said member, a -make and break igniter carried by the bracket and disposed within the combustion chamber of the engine, a magneto consisting of a rotor and a field magnet, the rotor beingoperativelyconnected with said vatively connected with said member, androtor being detachably connected with said member, and devices for ,removably supporting the field magnet of the magneto mm the bracket, said igniter being con-'- trolled by the oscillatory member whereby the igniter may be operated without the .magneto.

. member, and devices for removably supporting the vfield magnet of the magneto from the bracket, said-igniter being controlled by the oscillatory member whereby the igniter may be 0 erated without the magneto.

18. A evice of the class described, comprising a bracket adapted to be secured to aninternal combustion engine, an oscillatory member mounted on the bracket, means driven by the engine for operating said memher, a make and break i iter carried by the bracket and disposed within the combustion 20. A device of the class; described, comprising a bracket adapted to be securedto an internal combustion engine, an oscillatory member mountedon the bracket, means driven by the engine -for operating said member, an igniter carried by the bracket and disposed within the combustion chamber of the engine, spring means carried by the bracket tending to hold the oscillatory member in a given position, a magneto consisting of a rotor and a field magnet, the rotor being operatively connected with said member, and devices for removably supporting the magneto from the bracket, said igniter being controlled by the oscillatory member whereby the igniter may be operated without the magneto.

21. A device of the class described, comprising a bracket adapted to be secured to an internal combustion engine, an oscillatory member mounted'on the bracket, means driven by the engine for operating said member, an igniter carried by the bracket and disposed within the combustion chamber of the engine,- spring means carried by the bracket tending to hold the oscillatory member in a given positioma magneto consistingx'aof a rotor and a field magnet,-the rotor ing operatively connected-with said member, and devices for removably supp'orting the field magnet of the magneto from the "bracket, said igniter being controlled by. the

oscillatory member, whereby the igniter may be operated without the magneto, .45

22. A device of the-classdescri-bed, comprising a bracket adapted to be secured to an internal combustion engine, an oscillatory member mounted on the bracket, means i I driven by the engine, for operating said member, a make and break i iter carried by the bracket and disposed within the comchamber of the engine, a magneto consisting of a rotor and a field magnet, the rotor being detachably'connected with said member, and devicesaforrembwbly supporting the magheto from the "bracket, said igniter being controlled bythe oscillatory member wherebylthev igniter may be operated without the oscillatory'member in a given bustion chamber of the engine, spring means carried by the bracket tending to hold the osition, a 126 magneto consisting of. a rotor a-n field magnet, the rotor being 0 ratively connected with said member, an devices for removably sup rting the magneto I from the bracket said igmter being controlled by the 1 3 0 dri'ven'by the engine for operating said member, a makeand break igniter' carried by the bracket and disposed within the comb'ustion chamber of the engine, spring means carried by thebracket tending to hold theoscillatory member in a given position, a

@ magneto consisting of a rotor and a field fmagnet, the rotor being operatively connect- ,ed'witlnsaid member, and devices for removably supporting the field magnet oi the magtory member mounted on the bracket, means driven. by the engine for operating said member, a, make and break-igniter-carried by the bracket and disposed within the coma neto from the bracket, said igniter being controlled by the oscillatory member,whereby'the igniter may be operated without the 20.

magneto. p 24. A device of'the class described, comprising a bracket adapted be secured to an internal combustionrengine, an oscillatory member mounted on the bracket, means driven by the. engine for. operating said member, an igniter carried by'the bracket and disposed within the combustion chamber of the engine, spring means carried by the bracket tending to hold the oscillatory member in a given positioma magneto consisting of a rotor and a field m'agnet, the rotor being detachably connected with said membe'r, and devices for removably supporting the magneto from the bracket, safd 1gniter being controlled by the oscillatory member, whereby the igmter may ated without the magneto. f 25. A device of the class described, comprising a bracket adapted to be secured to an internal combustion engine, an oscilla bustion chamber of the engine,spring means carried bythe bracket tending to hold and devices for removably supporting the the oscillatorymember in agiven position, a magneto consisting of a rotor and a field magnet, the rotor bemg-detachably connected with said member, and devices for removably supporting "the field magnet of the i magneto from the-bracket, said igniter being controlled by the oscillatory member, where by the igniter may beope Wit t magneto. 1 i V 26. A deviceof the class described, comprising a. bracket adapted to be secured to an internal combustion engine, an oscillatory member mounted on the bracket, means driven by the engine for operating said member, a make and. break igniter carried by the bracket and disposed within the combustion chamber of the engine, spring means carried by the bracket tendingto hold the oscillatory meml qerin a glven position, a

be operbracket, said igniter being controlled by the oscillatory member, whereby the igniter maybe operated without the magneto.

27. A device of the class described, comprising a bracket adapted to be secured to an internal combustion engine, an operating .shaft' journaled in the bracket, means driven by the engine for operating the shaft, an igmter earned by the bracket and disposed within the combustion chamber of the en- .gme, a magneto consisting of a rotor and .a fieldmagnet, the rotor being operatively connected with said shaft, and devices for removably supporting the magneto from the bracket, said igniter being actuated by said shaft, whereby theigniter may be operated WIth'OUt the magneto;

28. A device of the class described, comprising a bracket adapted tobe secured to an internal combustion engine, an operatlng shaft ournaled in the bracket, means driyen by; the engine for operating the shaft,

an igniter, carriedby the bracket and disposed within the combustion chamber of the engine, a magneto consisting of a. rotor and a field magnet, the rotor being operatively connected with said shaft, and devices for'rem'ovabl; supporting the field magnet of the magneto from the bracket,

said igniter being actuated by said shaft,i

whereby the igniter may be operated without the magneto. V

29. A deviceof the class described, com,

prising a bracket adapted to be secured to "an internal combustion engine, an operat I mg shaft journaled in the bracket, means driven by the engine for operating the shaft,

a make and break igniter' carried by thebracket and disposed within the combustion chamber of the engine, a magneto consistingof a rotor and field magnet, the rotor being operatively connected with said shaft,

magnet from the bracket, said igniter being actuated by said shaft,whereby the igniter maybe operated without the magneto. y

A'device of the class described, comprising a bracket adapted to be secured toan internal combustionengine, an operating shaft journaled in the bracket, means driven by the enginefor operating the shaft, a

make and break igniter carried by their. a.

chamber of the engine,,a magnetoconsi stmg of a rotor and a field magnet, the rotor bemgoperatlvely connected-with said shaft,

bracket, said igniter being actuated by" said shaft, whereby the igniter may be operated wlthout the magneto.

bracket and disposed within the combustiong its and devices for removably supporting the Y field magnet of 'the magneto from the- 31 deviceoftlie class described, comprising a bracket adapted to be secured to an internal combustion engine, an op'erating sha'ft journaled in the bracket, means driven by the engine for operating the shaft, an

. igniter carried by the bracket and disposed within the combustion chamber of the engine, sprlng meanscarried by the bracket ltending to hold the shaft in 'a given position, a magneto consisting of a rotor and a field magnet, the rotor being operatively connected with said shaft, and devices for .removably supporting the magneto from the bracket, said igniter. being actuated by said shaft, whereby the igniter may be operated without the magneto;

32. A device of the class described, comprising a bracket adapted to be secured to an internal combustion engine, an operating shaft journaled in the bracket, means .driven by the engine for operating the shaft, an,

igniter carried by the bracket and disposed Within the combustion chamber of the engine, spring means carried by the bracket tending to hold the shaft in a. given position, a magneto consisting of a rotor and a field magnet, the rotor being operatively connected with said shaft, and devices for removably supporting the field magnet of the magneto from the bracket, said igniter being actuated by said shaft, whereby the igniter may be operated neto.

33; A device of the class described, comprising a bracket adapted to be secured to an internal combustion engine, an operating shaft" journaled in the bracket, means driven by the engine for operating the shaft, a

chamber of make and break igniter carried by the" bracket and isposed within the combustion ried by the bracket tending to hold the shaft in a given position, a magneto consisting of a rotor and a 'field magnet, the rotor being 'operatively connected with said shaft, and devices for removably supporting the magneto from the bracket, said igniter eing actuated by said shaft, whereby the igniter may be operated without the magneto.

, 34. Adevice ofthe class described, comprisinga bracket adapted to be secured to an internal combustion engine, an operating 7 shaft journaled in the bracket, means driven by the engine for operating the shaft, a make and break igniter carried by the bracket and disposed Within the combustion chamber of the engine, sprin means carried by the bracket tending to ho d the shaft in a given position, a magneto consisting of a rotor and a field magnet, the rotor being operatively connected with said shaft, and dewithout the mage engine, spring means car vices for removably supportin the field magnet ofthe'magneto from t e bracket said igniter being'actuated by said shaft,

whereby the igniter may be operated withcut them etc. 35. In-anignition device, an igniter with fixed movable electrodes, a bracket, a-

magneto. supportedon said bracket, operating means .forsaid magneto adapted to be actuated intermittently by a moving part of an engine to which the igniter is attached, a air of horns or posts secured to the said racket, and spring means extending from said horns or posts normally tending to maintain the movable member of the magneto in a fixed and, determinate position and v to return the same. thereto when actuated by said movableengine part.

36.- In an ignition device, an igniter with fixed and movable electrodes, a bracket, 9, magneto detachably supported on said bracket, operating means for said magneto adapted to be actuated'intermittently by a moving part of an engine to which the igniter is attached, a pair of horns or posts secured to the said bracket, and spring means extending from said horns or normally tending to maintain the movable member of the magneto in afixed and determinate position andto return the same thereto when actuated by said movable engine part.

37. In ignition apparatus, an igniter body -carrying fixed and movable electrodes, a

said bracket, spring actuated means for 'os-- cillating the electrode and the rotor of the magneto, said means being arranged to maintain operative relation with the electrode, when the magneto is removed. 4

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HARRY RANDOLPH VAN DEVENTER.

' \Vitnesscs:

EDNA IsLnn, E. H. Briana. 

